U.S. patent number 8,072,332 [Application Number 11/662,428] was granted by the patent office on 2011-12-06 for rfid tags with eas deactivation ability.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Avery Dennison Corporation. Invention is credited to Ian J. Forster.
United States Patent |
8,072,332 |
Forster |
December 6, 2011 |
RFID tags with EAS deactivation ability
Abstract
A radio-frequency identification (RFID) and an electronic
article surveillance (EAS) tag includes an RFID device and an EAS
device. The RFID device may operate in a plurality of states
including an activated state in which communication with a reader
is enabled and a deactivated state in which communication with a
reader is disabled. The EAS device may operate in a plurality of
states including an activated state in which activation of an alarm
is enabled and a deactivated state in which activation of an alarm
is disable. The RFID device may be deactivated when the EAS device
is deactivated. For example, the same piece of equipment that
deactivates the EAS device also deactivates the RFID device at the
same time. The RFID device may include an antenna, an RFID chip
connected to the antenna for communicating with a reader, and an
active element operatively disposed with respect to the antenna.
The active element, which may include a conductive strip or lead,
may have an activated state in which the antenna is enabled for
communicating with a reader in a far field and a deactivated state
in which the antenna is disabled from communicating with a reader
in a far field. In addition, the EAS device may include a magnetic
resonator and a bias magnet. When activated, the bias magnet may
cause or affect the resonator to resonate and the active element to
be in the activated state. Further, when deactivated, the bias
magnet may cause the active element to be in the deactivated
state.
Inventors: |
Forster; Ian J. (Essex,
GB) |
Assignee: |
Avery Dennison Corporation
(Pasadena, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
35520785 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/662,428 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2005 |
PCT
Filed: |
September 09, 2005 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/US2005/031762 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
July 01, 2009 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2006/031531 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
March 23, 2006 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20090295583 A1 |
Dec 3, 2009 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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10936907 |
Sep 19, 2006 |
7109867 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/572.3;
340/572.8; 340/572.6; 340/572.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B
13/2414 (20130101); G08B 13/2448 (20130101); G08B
13/2417 (20130101); G06K 19/07749 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G08B
13/14 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;340/571-572.9
;705/16-25 ;235/375 ;700/225-229 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0 595 549 |
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Sep 1997 |
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EP |
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1 429 301 |
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Jun 2004 |
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EP |
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WO 2004/053721 |
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Jun 2004 |
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WO |
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Other References
International Search Report for corresponding PCT/US2005/031762
completed Jan. 17, 2006 by S. Sgura of the EPO. cited by
other.
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Primary Examiner: Wu; Daniel
Assistant Examiner: Tang; Son M
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) and electronic article
surveillance (EAS) tag comprising: an RFID device having an RFID
chip for operating in a plurality of states including an activated
state in which communication with a reader is enabled and a
deactivated state in which communication with a reader is disabled;
an EAS device for operating in a plurality of states including an
activated state in which activation of an alarm is enabled and a
deactivation state in which activation of an alarm is disabled; an
active element in operative association with an antenna of the RFID
device; and a structure for indicating whether the RFID device is
in an activated state or deactivated state; wherein the RFID device
is deactivated when the EAS device is deactivated by influencing
the active element of the RFID device based on the activation state
of the EAS device.
2. The RFID and EAS tag of claim 1 wherein the RFID device
communicates with the reader in a far field.
3. The RFID and EAS tag of claim 1 wherein the structure comprises
at least a colored section for visual indication.
4. The RFID and EAS tag of claim 3 wherein the structure further
comprises a lens.
5. A product tagged for identification and surveillance,
comprising: A radio-frequency identification (RFID) device having
an RFID chip for operating in a plurality of states including an
activated state in which communication with a reader is enabled and
a deactivated state in which communication with a reader is
disabled; an electronic article surveillance (EAS) device for
operating in a plurality of states including an activated state in
which activation of an alarm is enabled and a deactivation state in
which activation of an alarm is disabled; and a structure for
indicating whether the RFID device is in an activated state or
deactivated state; wherein the RFID device is deactivated when the
EAS device is deactivated by influencing an active element of the
RFID device based on the activation state of the EAS device and the
active element is in operative association with an antenna of the
RFID device.
6. The product of claim 5 wherein the RFID device communicates with
the reader in a far field.
7. The product of claim 5 wherein the structure comprises at least
a colored section for visual indication.
8. The product of claim 7 wherein the structure further comprises a
lens.
9. The product of claim 5 further comprising at least one tag
associated with the product.
10. The product of claim 9 wherein the RFID device and the EAS
device are on one tag.
11. The product of claim 9 wherein the RFID device is on a first
tag (RFID tag) and the EAS device is on a second tag (EAS tag).
12. The product of claim 11 wherein the readability or operability
of the RFID tag is disabled with the same apparatus that
deactivates the EAS tag and at substantially the same time that the
EAS tag is deactivated.
13. A product tagged for identification and surveillance,
comprising: an radio-frequency identification (RFID) device having
an RFID chip for operating in a plurality of states including an
activated state in which communication with a reader is enabled and
a deactivated state in which communication with a reader is
disabled; and an electronic article surveillance (EAS) device for
operating in a plurality of states including an activated state in
which activation of an alarm is enabled and a deactivation state in
which activation of an alarm is disabled; wherein the RFID device
is deactivated when the EAS device is deactivated by influencing an
active element of the RFID device based on the activation state of
the EAS device, the deactivating of the RFID device comprising
moving an active element of the RFID device from an active state in
which the active element connects the RFID chip to an RFID antenna
of the RFID device to a deactivated state in which the active
element is moved to disconnect at least a portion of the RFID
antenna from the RFID chip.
14. The product of claim 13 wherein the RFID device communicates
with the reader in a far field.
15. The product of claim 13 further comprising a structure for
indicating whether the RFID device is in an activated state or
deactivated state.
16. The product of claim 15 wherein the structure comprises at
least a colored section for visual indication.
17. The product of claim 16 wherein the structure further comprises
a lens.
18. The product of claim 13 further comprising at least one tag
associated with the product.
19. The product of claim 18 wherein the RFID device and the EAS
device are on one tag.
20. The product of claim 18 wherein the RFID device is on a first
tag (RFID tag) and the EAS device is on a second tag (EAS tag).
21. The product of claim 20 wherein the readability or operability
of the RFID tag is disabled with the same apparatus that
deactivates the EAS tag and at substantially the same time that the
EAS tag is deactivated.
22. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) device comprising: an
RFID chip for operating in a plurality of states including an
activated state in which communication with a reader is enabled and
switchable to a deactivated state in which communication with a
reader is disabled; a lens; colored sections selectively movable in
and out of contact with the lens responsive to the switchable
states of the RFID device to provide: a first visual indicator for
providing an indication of the state of the RFID device when the
colored sections are not in contact with the lens; and a second
visual indicator for providing a second indication of the state of
the RFID device when the colored sections are in contact with the
lens; wherein the first visual indicator provides an indication of
the activated state of the RFID device and the second visual
indicator provides an indication of the deactivated state of the
RFID device.
23. The RFID device of claim 22 wherein the RFID device
communicates with the reader in a far field.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to radio-frequency identification
(RFID) systems, including RFID tags, readers, and activators. The
invention also relates to electronic article surveillance (EAS)
systems, including EAS tags, alarms, activators, and deactivators.
The invention also relates to RFID and EAS apparatus and
methodology that enables the RFID functionality of a tag to be
deactivated at substantially the same time that the EAS
functionality is deactivated and with the same device that
deactivates the EAS functionality.
Automatic identification is the broad term applying to a host of
technologies that are used to help machines identify objects.
Automatic identification is often coupled with automatic data
capture. Accordingly, companies that want to identify items are
able to capture information about the items and to load the
information into a computer with minimal human labor.
One type of automatic identification technology is radio-frequency
identification (RFID). RFID is a generic term for technologies that
use radio waves to automatically identify objects such as tagged
products. There are several conventional methods of identifying
objects using RFID, the most common of which is to store a serial
number (and other information if desired) that identifies the
object on a microchip that is attached to an antenna. The chip and
the antenna, together with any supporting substrate, herein are
called an RFID device or an RFID tag. The antenna enables the chip
to transmit the identification information to a reader. The reader
converts the radio waves from the RFID device into a form that can
then be utilized by a computer.
As the name implies, .electronic article surveillance (EAS) is
concerned with the embedding or attaching of a disposable security
label or tag to a retail item to deter shoplifting. Conventional
EAS devices or tags include a resonator that, when activated,
causes an alarm to sound when the EAS tag is brought within
operative proximity of detection apparatus (which is typically
located at the exit of a store). However, if the EAS device is
active, a similar signal will also be produced each time that a
customer either properly removes purchased goods from the store or
enters another store with similar detection apparatus. Generally,
EAS tags are inexpensive and disposable items that are not removed
from merchandise during check out (which is generally true for RFID
tags as well). For these reasons, a variety of different techniques
have been developed to deactivate EAS tags, typically by a clerk
during check out using deactivation apparatus that needs no
physical contact with the tag.
Various types of EAS devices and deactivation systems make use of
specially configured tags or labels in connection with an apparatus
for positively deactivating such tags or labels. A first example is
the EAS tag described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,498,076 to Lichtblau. The
Lichtblau tag is provided with a resonant circuit having a
capacitor portion with an indentation that permits the resonant
circuit to be deactivated according to methodology as described in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,938 to Kaltner, for example. The Lichtblau EAS
tag is readily deactivated at the point of sale by subjecting the
tag or label to a relatively high-powered signal which, because of
the mechanical indentation, is sufficient to cause a short circuit
within the tag or label for deactivation.
Another type of EAS tag, sometimes called a magnetomechanical EAS
tag, uses the technology disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,765,007 to
Elder. Magnetomechanical tags include an active element and a bias
element. When magnetized, the bias element applies a bias magnetic
field to the active element which causes the active element to be
mechanically resonant at a predetermined frequency upon exposure to
an interrogation signal which alternates at the predetermined
frequency. This tag requires a relatively high magnetic field level
for activation and deactivation. Activation and deactivation is
accomplished by exciting a coil wound around a magnetic core.
One of the concerns consumers have with RFID tags is privacy. More
specifically, consumers may believe that their spending habits and
mobility can be tracked by means of still-active RFID tags attached
to their purchases. Accordingly, to increase consumer confidence in
RFID technology, manufacturers are challenged to improve RFID tags
so that the tags are no longer activated by far-field RF signals
once tagged products are purchased or used by consumers.
Accordingly, RFID devices and EAS devices serve different purposes
when it comes to retail items. As used in the present patent
application, the terms "EAS device" and "RFID device" may refer to
devices that are embodied in separate tags or to devices that are
combined in the same tag. By and large, each of the systems
utilizes different apparatus and methodology for activation and
deactivation. Therefore, retailers may need to purchase and install
separate systems for implementing and deactivating RFID and EAS
functionality in their stores, which can be burdensome and
expensive.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for RFID and
EAS technology that allows the RFID functionality of tag to be
disabled easily and inexpensively. The present invention satisfies
this need.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to radio-frequency identification
(RFID) systems, including RFID tags, readers, and activators. The
invention also relates to electronic article surveillance (EAS)
systems, including EAS tags, alarms, activators, and deactivators.
The invention also relates to RFID and EAS devices and a
methodology that enables the RFID device to be deactivated at
substantially the same time as the EAS device is deactivated, using
the same apparatus that deactivates the EAS functionality. The RFID
device and EAS device may be implemented as or comprise of separate
tags or labels or may be combined in the same tag or label.
According to one of the embodiments and by way of example only, an
RFID tag may include an antenna, an RFID chip connected to the
antenna for communicating with a reader, and an active element
operatively disposed with respect to the antenna. The active
element may operate in a plurality of states, including an
activated state in which the antenna is enabled for communicating
with a reader in a far field, and a deactivated state in which the
antenna is disabled from communicating with a reader in a far
field. The active element may change from the activated state to
the deactivated state when operatively subjected to an electronic
article surveillance (EAS) deactivator. Accordingly and
advantageously, the same piece of equipment that deactivates the
EAS device may also deactivate the RFID device. In many
embodiments, the deactivation of the RFID tag may occur at the same
time as an EAS device is deactivated; in other embodiments, there
may be no EAS device present even though the RFID tag is
deactivated.
According to another one of the embodiments and by way of example
only, a dual function (RFID/EAS) tag includes an RFID device and an
EAS device. The RFID device may operate in a plurality of states
including an activated state in which communication with a reader
is enabled and a deactivated state in which communication with a
reader is disabled. The EAS device may operate in a plurality of
states including an activated state in which activation of an alarm
is enabled and a deactivated state in which activation of an alarm
is disable. Advantageously, the RFID device may be deactivated when
the EAS device is deactivated. In a number of embodiments, the same
piece of equipment that deactivates the EAS device also deactivates
the RFID device at the same time. For example, a deactivator that
subjects the EAS device to a magnetic field may also subject the
RFID device to the magnetic field.
In a number of embodiments, the RFID device may include an antenna,
an RFID chip connected to the antenna for communicating with a
reader, and an active element operatively disposed with respect to
the antenna. The active element, which may include a conductive
strip or lead, may have an activated state in which the antenna is
enabled for communicating with a reader in a far field and a
deactivated state in which the antenna is disabled from
communicating with a reader in a far field. In addition, the EAS
device may include a magnetic resonator and a bias magnet. When
activated, the bias magnet may cause or affect the resonator to
resonate and the active element to be in the activated state.
Further, when deactivated, the bias magnet may cause the active
element to be in the deactivated state. Accordingly, in a retail
example, deactivating the EAS device at check out also deactivates
the RFD device. The tag may include structure for providing a
visual indication to a consumer that the RFD functionality of the
tag has been deactivated.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a tag with both radio-frequency
identification (RFID) functionality and electronic article
surveillance (EAS) functionality according to a number of
embodiments;
FIG. 2 illustrates a tag with at least RFID functionality in an
activated state;
FIG. 3 illustrates a tag with at least RFID functionality in a
deactivated state;
FIG. 4 illustrates a tag with combined RFID and EAS functionality
in an activated state;
FIG. 5 illustrates a tag with combined RFID and EAS functionality
in a deactivated state;
FIG. 6 illustrates a combined RFID and EAS tag according to a
number of embodiments;
FIG. 7 illustrates the tag of FIG. 6 in an activated state;
FIG. 8 illustrates the tag of FIG. 6 in a deactivated state;
FIG. 9 illustrates an RFID device of a combined RFID and EAS tag
according to some of the embodiments, particularly illustrating the
RFID device in an activated state;
FIG. 10 illustrates the RFID device in a deactivated state;
FIG. 11 illustrates an RFID device of a combined RFID and EAS tag
according to other embodiments, particularly illustrating one side
of the RFID device;
FIG. 12 illustrates the other side of the RFID device of FIG.
11;
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the RFID device of
FIG. 11 in an activated state;
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the RFID device of
FIG. 11 in a deactivated state;
FIG. 15 illustrates an RFID device of a combined RFID and EAS tag
according to still other embodiments;
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the RFID device of
FIG. 15 in an activated state;
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the RFID device of
FIG. 15 in a deactivated state;
FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrated an embodiment of individual
RFID and EAS tags associated with an object, particularly
illustrating an activated state;
FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 18
in a deactivated state;
FIG. 20 schematically illustrates one of the embodiments of an RFID
device;
FIG. 21 schematically illustrates an embodiment of an EAS device;
and
FIG. 22 schematically illustrates a resonant circuit in relation to
an RFID chip.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring more particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, in a number
of embodiments a radio-frequency identification (RFID) and an
electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag 100 may include an RFID
device 102 and an EAS device 104. According to a many embodiments,
the tag 100 may operate in a plurality of operating states. In
addition, in other embodiments, the process of deactivating the EAS
functionality of the tag 100 may simultaneously deactivate the RFID
functionality of the tag 100.
For example, in some of the embodiments, the tag 100 may operate in
an activated state in which the tag 100 is able to communicate with
an RFID reader 106 as shown in FIG. 2. More specifically, when in
an activated state, the RFID device 102 of the tag 100, which is
associated with an object 108, may be able to receive energy E from
the reader 106 for activation and to transmit tag energy T back to
the reader 106 for processing. The communication of information
from the tag 100 to the reader 106 may be within a typical
far-field installation, e.g., in a retail store. Accordingly, in an
activated state, the combination tag 100 may function or operate at
least as a typical RFID tag in the far field and in many
embodiments as a typical EAS tag as well. [The term "far field" as
used herein refers to a distance greater than about 15 mm from an
RF-energy emitting device, such as an RFID device that emits
ultra-high frequency (UHF) RF energy.]
In other embodiments, the tag 100 may also operate in a deactivated
state in which the tag 100 is disabled from communicating with a
reader 106 as shown in FIG. 3. More specifically, when in a
deactivated state, the RFID device 102 of the tag is not able to
communicate with a reader 106 in a far-field installation.
Accordingly, in a deactivated state, the combination tag 100 may
not function or operate at least as a typical RFID tag in the far
field and in many embodiments as a typical EAS tag as well.
Regarding the states with respect to EAS functionality as
illustrated in FIG. 4, the tag 100 may be taken from an inactive
state in which the EAS device 104 will not trigger an EAS alarm 110
to an active state by subjecting the EAS device 104 to activation
energy A from an activator 112. When in an active state, the EAS
device 104 will activate the alarm 110 when positioned within an
operative field of the alarm 110, with is indicated by energy
M.
In addition, the tag 100 may be taken from the active state to the
deactivated state by subjecting the EAS device 104 to deactivation
energy D from a deactivator 114 as illustrated in FIG. 5. When in
the deactivated state, the EAS device 104 will not activate the
alarm 110 when positioned within the operative field thereof.
According to many of the embodiments, the process of deactivating
the EAS device 104 of the tag 100 may also simultaneously
deactivate the RFID device 102, which is discuss in more detail
below.
According to a number of embodiments as shown in FIG. 6, the RFID
device 102 of the combination tag 100 may include an antenna 116,
an RF chip 118, and an active element 120. The RF chip may be
connected to the antenna 116 and may be configured for
communicating with a reader 106. The active element 120 may be
operative disposed with respect to the antenna 116. For example,
the active element 120 may be configured to affect, vary, or change
one or more far-field operating parameters of the antenna 116, such
as frequency or efficiency.
In a number of embodiments, the active element 120 may be
configured to change states or to change the operating state of the
RFID device 102. For example, when the active element 120 is in an
activated state, the antenna 116 may be enabled for communicating
with a reader 106 in an operative far field, as represented in FIG.
2. In addition, when the active element 120 is in a deactivated
state, the antenna is disabled from communicating with a reader 106
in an operative far field, as represented in FIG. 3.
According to a number of embodiments, the EAS device 104 may
include a magnetic resonator 122 and a bias magnet 124 that may be
activated and deactivated as represented in FIGS. 4 and 5,
respectively. Accordingly, when activated, the bias magnet 124 may
cause the resonator 122 to resonate as shown by arrow R in FIG. 7.
When the bias magnet 124 is deactivated, the resonator 122 is
unable to resonate as shown in FIG. 8.
In some of the embodiments, when activated, the bias magnet 124 may
cause the active element 120 to be in the activated state, thereby
enabling the RFID device 102 to communicate with a reader 106 in
the far field. In other embodiments, when deactivated, the bias
magnet 124 may cause the active element 120 to be in the
deactivated state, thereby disabling the RFID device 102 from
communicating with a reader 106 in the far field. Accordingly, by
demagnetizing the bias magnet 124, both the EAS functionality and
the RFID functionality of the tag 100 is disabled or
deactivated.
For example, in a number of embodiments, the antenna 116 may
include a loop antenna 126 with a gap 128 defined between ends 130
of the antenna 126, and the active element 120 may include a
conductive strip. Accordingly, when in the activated state as shown
in FIG. 7, the conductive strip 120 may be positioned in operative
proximity with the gap 128, for example, contacting the ends 130 of
the loop antenna 126, thereby enabling the antenna 126 to operate
at desired or functional far-field parameters. When in the
deactivated state as shown in FIG. 8, the conductive strip 120 may
not be not positioned in operative proximity with the gap 128,
thereby disabling the antenna 126 from operating at desired or
functional far-field parameters.
More specifically, in the illustrated embodiments, the gap 128 of
the antenna 126 may be positioned between the conductive strip 120
and the bias magnet 124 such that the conductive strip may be
attracted by the magnet 124 and urged toward the gap 128 when the
bias magnet 124 is activated. In some of the embodiments, the
conductive strip 120 may be biased away from the gap 128, such as
at the position shown in FIG. 8, such that when the bias magnet 124
is deactivated, no magnetic force acts upon the conductive strip
120, and the conductive strip 120 may move out of operative
proximity of the antenna 126, or away from, the gap 128.
Also in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, when the
conductive strip 120 is in the activate state and in operative
proximity of the antenna 126, a capacitance between the ends 130 of
the antenna 126 and across the gap 128 may be at an increased
level, thereby enabling the antenna 126 to operate at a desired
frequency or efficiency. Further, when the conductive strip 120 is
in the deactivated state and out of operative proximity of the
antenna 126, the capacitance across the gap 128 may be at a reduced
level, thereby disabling the antenna 126 from operating at a
desired frequency or efficiency.
Accordingly, the active element in the form of the conductive strip
120 may cause the antenna 126 to operate at a reduced efficiency
when in the deactivated state. In addition, the conductive strip
120 may cause the antenna 126 to operate at a first frequency when
in the activated state and at a second frequency when in the
deactivated state. The first frequency may enable the antenna 126
to communicate with a reader 106 in a far field, and the second
frequency may enable the antenna 126 to communicate with a reader
106 only in a near field (i.e., not at a far field).
According to still other embodiments, an RFID device .102 as
illustrated in FIG. 9 may include an antenna 152, an RFID chip 154,
and an active element 156 connected to the antenna 152. The chip
154 may include a pair of conductive magnetic pads 158. The active
element 156 may be operatively disposed with respect to the pads
158. Accordingly, in a number of embodiments the active element 156
may have an activated state in which the antenna 152 is in
operative or electrical communication with the chip 154 as
represented by FIG. 2 and shown in FIG. 9. Further, the active
element 156 may have a deactivated state in which antenna 152 is
not in operative or electrical communication with the chip 154 as
represented by FIG. 3 and as shown in FIG. 10.
More specifically, the active element 156 may include a pair of
conductive leads 160 each connected to the antenna 152 at one end
thereof. Each of the leads 160 may then contact a respective one of
the pads 158 at the other end thereof when in the activated state
as shown in FIG. 9. In addition, the leads 160 may also disconnect
from the pads 158 when in the deactivated state as shown in FIG.
10. In a number of embodiments, the pads 158 may be activated when
magnetized as represented in FIG. 4 and deactivated when
demagnetized as represented in FIG. 5. Accordingly, in embodiments
in which a tag 100 combines RFID and EAS functionality, the
deactivation process of the EAS device 104 may also simultaneously
deactivate the RFID device 102.
In still other embodiments, the conductive leads 160 may be biased
to be in the deactivated state as shown in FIG. 10. Accordingly, to
place the RFID device 102 in the activated state, the magnetic pads
158 may attract the free ends of the leads 160 to make contact
therewith. When the pads 158 are demagnetized, then the leads 160
may disconnect from the pads 158 to return to the biased position
of FIG. 10.
In some of the embodiments, the chip 154 may be disposed in a
spaced relationship with the antenna 152 such that a gap 162 is
defined between the antenna 152 and the pads 158. For example, a
support 164 may be provided on which the chip 154 may be mounted.
Accordingly, each of the conductive leads 160 may be connected to
the antenna 152 at respective first ends 164 thereof. Further, each
of the conductive leads 160 may then be movable in the gap 162 at
respective free or second ends 166 thereof to disconnect from a
respective one of the pads 158. In still other embodiments, the
RFID device 102 may include a dielectric support 168 with a rear
ground plane 170 on which the antenna 152 may be mounted.
According to further embodiments, an RFID device 102 as illustrated
in FIGS. 11 and 12 may include a substrate 202, an RFID chip 204,
and an antenna 206. The substrate 202 may include at least one
aperture 208, with a pair of apertures 208 being shown in the
embodiment in the drawings. The chip 204 may include a number of
conductive magnetic pads 210 corresponding to the apertures 208,
with the pads 210 being disposed at the apertures 208 on a first
side 212 of the substrate 202. The antenna 206 may include a pair
of arms 214 each with an end 216 disposed at a respect one of the
apertures on a second side 218 of the substrate 202.
In a number of embodiments, the antenna 206 may include a plurality
of operating states. For example, the antenna 206 may include an
activated state in which the ends 216 of the arms 214 are in
operative or electrical communication with the pads 210 as shown in
FIG. 13, thereby rendering the RFID device 102 in an active state
as represented in FIG. 2. In addition, the antenna 216 may include
a deactivated state in which the ends 216 of the arms 214 are not
in operative or electrical communication with the pads 210 as shown
in FIG. 14, thereby rendering the RFID device 102 in a deactivated
state as represented in FIG. 3. Accordingly, in embodiments in
which a tag 100 combines RFID and EAS functionality, the process of
deactivating the EAS device 104 may also simultaneously deactivate
the RFID device 102.
As shown in FIG. 12, in some of the embodiments, the arms 214 of
the antenna 206 may be biased to be separated or disconnected from
the pads 210. Accordingly, when the pads 210 are magnetized, the
ends 216 of the arms 214 are drawn to the pads 210 against the bias
of the arms 214 as shown in FIG. 11. When the pads 210 are
demagnetized, then the arms 214 return to the biased open or
disconnected position as shown in FIG. 12.
In some of the embodiments, the RFID device 102 may include
structure for providing an indication whether the RFID device 102
is in an activated or deactivated state. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 15 and 16, a lens 220 may be disposed at the apertures 208,
and the end 216 of each of the arms 214 may include a colored
section 222. Accordingly, when the RFID device 102 is in an
activated state as shown in FIG. 16, the colored sections 222 are
separated from the lens 220, so that the lens 220 provides a first
visual indicator, i.e., activated. And when the RFID device 102 is
in a deactivated state as shown in FIG. 17, the colored sections
222 are positioned adjacent to the lens 220, so that the lens 220
provides a second visual indicator, i.e., deactivated.
Although the invention is illustrated above with references to tags
having combined RFID and EAS functionality (i.e., embodying both an
RFID device and an EAS device), the deactivation methodology of the
invention applies equally to the case of an RFID device and an EAS
device each embodied in a separate tag marking an object. In this
case, the physical relationship of the tags (e.g., proximity,
configurations, etc.) can affect the use of the single deactivation
apparatus to deactivate both devices.
Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, in addition to a tag 100 with
combined RFID and EAS functionality, according to a number of
embodiments, individual RFID and EAS tags 250 and 252,
respectively, may be associated with an object 108. The RFID and
EAS tags 250 and 252 may be configured analogously to or may
include analogous functionality as the RFID and EAS devices 102 and
104, respectively, as described above.
In some of the embodiments, the tags 250 and 252 may be activated
individually and at separate times with either the same activator
112 or with separate activating apparatus. Alternatively, the tags
250 and 252 may be activated substantially simultaneously with the
same activator 112 as shown in FIG. 18. In other embodiments, the
tags 250 and 252 may be deactivated at substantially the same time
and with the same deactivating apparatus 114 as shown in FIG. 19.
For example, during a purchase of an item 108, the readability or
operability of the RFID tag 250 may be disabled with the same
apparatus that deactivates the EAS tag 252 and at the same time
that the EAS tag 252 is deactivated.
According to a number of embodiments, the RFID device 102 may be of
a type shown in FIG. 20. In these embodiments, the RFID device 102
may include a magnetic coupler 254 operatively coupling together an
antenna portion 256 and an interposer 258 with a transponder chip
260. The interposer 258 includes conductive leads or pads that are
coupled to contact pads of the chip 260 for providing a larger
effective electrical contact area than ICs precisely aligned for
direct placement without an interposer.
The antenna portion 256 may include an antenna 262 and an antenna
portion magnetic coupling element 264 electrically coupled
together. The electrical coupling between the antenna 262 and the
antenna portion magnetic coupling element 264 may be a direct
electrical (conductive) coupling or a non-direct reactive coupling,
such as capacitive coupling. The antenna 262 may be any of a
variety of suitable antennas for receiving and/or sending signals
in interaction with an RFID communication device such as a
reader.
The interposer 258 may include the transponder chip 260 and an
interposer magnetic coupling element 266 that is electrically
coupled to the chip 260. The coupling between the transponder chip
260 and the interposer magnetic coupling element 266 may be a
direct electrical contact or may include certain types of reactive
coupling, such as capacitive coupling. The magnetic coupling
elements 264 and 266 together constitute the magnetic coupler 254.
The interaction of the magnetic coupling elements 264 and 266
allows transfer of energy between the antenna 262 and the
transponder chip 260 via magnetic coupling.
In some of the embodiments, the magnetic coupler 254 may include
high-permeability material placed in proximity to the magnetic
coupling elements 264 and 266. Ferrites are an example of suitable
materials for the high-permeability material 254. Ferrites are
ceramic materials generally containing iron oxide combined with
binder compounds such as nickel, manganese, zinc, or magnesium. Two
major categories of binder compounds are manganese zinc (MnZn) and
nickel zinc (NiZn).
The high-permeability material 268 may be placed either between or
elsewhere in proximity to the magnetic coupling elements 264 and
266. The high-permeability material 268 may be used to increase
and/or concentrate magnetic coupling between the magnetic coupling
elements 264 and 266. The high permeability material 268 may
increase the amount of flux transferred between the magnetic
coupling elements 264 and 266. The high-permeability material 268
may be in the form of any of a variety of layers or structures in
proximity to the magnetic coupling portions or elements 264 and
266.
The high permeability material 268 may also be used to control the
readability of the RFID device 102 and thus to effect the
deactivation method of the present invention. In embodiments where
the high-permeability material 268 has high associated loss, the
high-permeability material 268 may be used to intentionally de-tune
and inhibit operation of the RFID device 102, except when the
high-permeability material 30 is saturated by a direct-current
magnetic field, such as a field produced by a printed magnet in the
device 102. In such a configuration, the RFID device 102 may
operate normally until exposed to a de-magnetizing field, which
removes the bias of the high-permeability material 268. Thereafter,
the high-permeability 268 may either de-tune the RFD device 102 or
concentrate the magnetic flux away from the interposer 285, thereby
also preventing reading of the RFID device 102.
Referencing FIG. 21, in a number of embodiments the EAS device 104
may include a resonant circuit 270 and an antenna 272. As
illustrated in FIG. 22, the resonant circuit 270 may be
schematically represented by an equivalence circuit including an
inductive element L and a capacitive element C. The prior art
includes numerous examples of resonant circuits that may be
suitably utilized in EAS tags, either in parallel as shown or in
series.
The capacitive element C may function both as a capacitor and as a
transmission line depending upon the frequency. For example, at low
frequencies (e.g., less than 10 MHz), the capacitive element C may
function as or exhibit properties of a capacitor, while at
ultra-high frequency (UHF) (e.g., about 300 MHz to 3 GHz), the
capacitive element C may function as or exhibit properties of a
transmission line. Accordingly, the capacitive element C is in an
activated state when functioning as a capacitor and a deactivated
state when functioning as a transmission line.
As represented in FIG. 22, the resonant circuit 270 may be
configured in relation to the RFID chip 118 of the RFID device 102
so that the capacitive element C is in parallel with the chip.
Accordingly, in UHF environments, the capacitive element C becomes
a DC short circuit, thereby shorting and deactivating the RFID chip
118.
Those skilled in the art will understand that the preceding
embodiments of the present invention provide the foundation for
numerous alternatives and modifications thereto. These other
modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.
Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to that precisely
as shown and described in the present invention.
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